title: Brazilian obesity prevention and control initiatives.
abstract: Obesity prevalence in the Brazilian adult population is 12.5% among men and 16.9% among women. Obesity control has been a subject of concern in Brazilian health policies since the publication of the National Food and Nutrition Policy in 1999. The initiatives include a comprehensive national intersectorial plan for obesity prevention and control focused on confronting its social and environmental causes, development of a food and nutrition education framework aimed at intersectorial public policies in the food and nutritional security field, promotion and provision of healthy food in school environments (linked to family farming), structuring nutrition actions in primary healthcare in the national healthcare system, promoting community physical activity, food regulation and control, and encouragement of public participation and food control. We conclude that several initiatives have been developed in Brazil to deal with the challenge of implementing an intergovernmental, intersectorial response to reverse the rising overweight and obesity rates. The success of this response will depend on a governance model that promotes joint and integrated action by different sectors and active participation of society to consolidate the actions, places and laws that protect health and promote healthy lifestyles.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Nutrição, Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Coordenação Geral de Alimentação e Nutrição, Departamento de Atenção Básica, Secretaria de Atenção à Saúde, Ministério da Saúde do Brasil, Brasília, Brazil.
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Jaime
authors.forename: A C F
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Gentil
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Claro
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Monteiro
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D005523:Food Supply / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D009043:Motor Activity; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012574:Schools
keywords: Brazil; health care. obesity; intersectorial action; national programmes; prevention